College football around the state

Rubin iffy for Saturday

TAMPA -- South Florida wide receiver DeAndrew Rubin sustained a turf toe to his right big toe in the first half of the Bulls' 35-26 win Saturday at Pittsburgh.

Rubin dressed for practice Monday, but coach Jim Leavitt said he did not participate in drills. Leavitt said Rubin is questionable for Saturday's home opener against Southern Utah.

As Rubin walked off the practice field Monday he said he was "feeling good."

DOUBLE HONOR: USF junior quarterback Marquel Blackwell has been named the national player of the week by USA Today and www.collegefootballnews.com. Blackwell completed 37 of 65 passes for 343 yards and 4 touchdowns with 1 interception.

"I'm happy and honored that I was noticed," said Blackwell, who deflected the credit to the offensive line, which did not allow a sack. "It feels real good."

Blackwell was cut no slack at practice: He ran an extra sprint for the interception.

BACK AT PRACTICE: Hard-luck sophomore defensive end Ian Blackwell practiced for the first time this fall. Blackwell had contracted Bell's palsy this summer. He has overcome a severe knee injury, a broken ankle and an emergency appendectomy since arriving in 1999. -- PETE YOUNG

LB Harris has surgery

Harris started four games last season and was selected to the All-SEC freshman team. He moved into a prominent role last fall when Andra Davis was injured the first game of the year and Travis Carroll was suspended. He moved to strongside linebacker in the spring due to injuries.

He has not played this season.

CHANGES TO COME: After a less than spectacular outing early Saturday, there most likely will be a shakeup in the lineup later this week, coach Steve Spurrier said.

"We didn't play real sharp against Louisiana-Monroe and a few guys we were very, very disappointed in," Spurrier said. "We will probably have some changes in the lineup later in the week."

Spurrier said those changes likely would include members of the offensive line.

GAME TIME CHANGE: The Sept. 22 game at Kentucky was moved to a 12:30 kickoff and will be televised on Jefferson Pilot. The game was scheduled for a 1:30 start. -- ANTONYA ENGLISH

RB Ford out for season

TALLAHASSEE -- Backup senior tailback Davy Ford, 22, has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee for the third time and will miss the rest of the season.

"It's very unfortunate," coach Bobby Bowden said. "Dadgum it, there's a guy who already had two knee operations. I was just hoping he could be lucky this year. ... You sure hate to lose him."

The 5-11, 188-pound Ford injured the knee late in Saturday's game against UAB and had a MRI that revealed another tear. He first hurt that knee in 1997 and again in the spring of 1999.

WEEKLY HONORS: Quarterback Chris Rix, who threw for 246 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 52 yards and a score Saturday, was named ACC rookie of the week. Senior middle linebacker Bradley Jennings, who had eight tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery, was named top defensive lineman/linebacker of the week.

ON TV: ABC will televise the Sept. 22 game at North Carolina with kickoff at noon. The game was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. -- BRIAN LANDMAN

Gonzalez to play Saturday

CORAL GABLES -- Right tackle Joaquin Gonzalez said he will play Saturday against Washington after slightly spraining his right shoulder last Saturday against Rutgers. He said the injury happened on the first play when he got tangled up with a lineman and landed on his shoulder with his full weight.

Also, quarterback Ken Dorsey won Big East offensive player of the week for the second straight week. -- TIMES WIRES